Punjab cabinet approves land for IT university

In a bid to foster growth in the information and technology sector, the Punjab Cabinet today approved allotment of a 40-acre site in Mohali IT City for setting up a world-class technology university.

To ensure transparency in the allotment process, a project proposal will be called from the open market, an official said.

The applicants must prepare plans based on the government policy for land allotment to universities, an official spokesperson said here.

The proposals will be scrutinised, as per the laid down procedure in the referred policy, said an official spokesperson after the Cabinet meeting.

In September 2017, the Cabinet had earlier allowed the use of a 50-acre site for the establishment of a world-class technology university with focus on IT and IT Enabled Services (ITES) at IT City, Mohali.

The state government had identified IT and ITES industry as an important thrust area in its Industrial Investment Promotion Policy of 2013, and the IT Policy-2013 sought expansion of the existing IT industry in Mohali to propel its growth as an IT hub of India, the spokesperson said.

The IT City was developed in Mohali to promote IT services, ITES, bio-technology (non-polluting) and technology based non-polluting research and development facilities, he said.